The idea of creating a complete exhibit that would introduce the species that live or lived in the past in the territory of the Czech-Saxon Switzerland, in which two national parks are situated nowadays, originated during the first negotiation of possible co-operation between the Děčín ZOO management and the organization called Christlichen Jugenddorfwerk Deutschlands (CJD) e.V. Freiberg/Heidenau in 1995. Soon a draft of a future project of cross-border co-operation rose up between those two institutions mentioned above. The Protected Landscape Area ”The Labe Sandstones” Administration, located in Děčín, took part in the preparation and realization of this project in the area of providing information as well as professional consultation.

 

CJD Freiberg/Heidenau gained some financial means for its participation in the realization from the European Union Program INTERREG II, and in years 1996 – 1998 it took part in constructing the first shelter out of 35 in total – lynx exposition, and it also supported the project materially.

The Děčín ZOO succeeded in applying for financial support from the program of the European Union CBC Phare 1997. The project was realized in years 1998 – 2000 under the title ”Děčín – Regional Fauna Exhibit”. It was festively opened for public on 31 August 2000 and several dozens of unique species were presented in the area of 1,25 hectares.  
 

Visitors can see beasts of prey (lynx, fox, wild cat, marten, wolf), rare grouse birds (capercaillie, black grouse, hazel hen), birds of prey (peregrine falcon, hobby, honey buzzard), owls (eagle-owl, barn owl, pygmy owl, Tengmalm’s owl), as well as some amphibians and songbirds and some species of ungulates here.